The Long Way Home (Corps Security #6)(82)

“This woman doesn’t fall at all,” she tells him.

“Don’t imagine you will.” He looks at me briefly before back to her. “I see why my wife likes you.”

“Feeling is mutual.”

“So what’s the plan after we get the girls settled with Zac?”

“We’re going to head toward his location and make sure he doesn’t ever touch my girls again.”

“Whatever means necessary?” Beck asks.

“No civilian crossfire. Isolated hit, and then we call in the cleanup team. You don’t have to do more than watch my back. In and out.”

“Better shut your mouth with that in-and-out shit before you jinx us,” my brother grunts.

I lean forward and hold his gaze. “This piece of shit ambushed her friend and our girl at their place of business. You don’t have to do more than watch my back because no one else gets near him but me. Your hands are clean, and you’re in and out. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Yeah, not going to work like that,” his brother responds. Maddox and Beck nod in agreement. “We didn’t get you back to lose you again.”

“He’s mine,” I tell them.

“No doubt, but we won’t just be watching your back. If he poses a threat, whoever gets the shot takes it.”

I want to argue. I want to demand that I get justice for him hurting Riley and scaring Olivia. I want to say fuck it all and run off half-cocked, ready to bash that fuck’s head in. However, when I look down at Olivia and see her worried expression, I know they’re right.

“I’m done after this,” I tell them. “He’s my last job and … my most important. The only one who gets the shot is me.”

Silence follows, each of them looking at me with understanding.

Each of these men, well maybe not my son, knows what I’m feeling right now. All aside from Zac. I pray my boy doesn’t know what we do—what it’s like to avenge the women we love. If he does, I’m thankful he’ll have the same army at his side that I have.

My worlds collide, giving me everything I had never dreamed possible. It’s up to me now to protect them for good.





“Only Everything” by Quinn Lewis



The ride from the private landing strip to Zeke’s place felt like it took an eternity rather than the half an hour it did. Being this close to Riley but not seeing her yet makes me beyond anxious. I need to see with my own eyes that she’s okay.

By the time we pulled into the parking area for Zeke’s place, I had my hand on the door and was ready to bolt.

“Easy,” Zeke whispers in my ear. “Let them get out first and make sure everything is clear.”

How easy it was to forget, even for a moment, that a threat was out there. I nod, and it takes a lot of effort to sit back in the seat and let all the men climb out.

“I’m excited to meet Riley.” The voice comes from behind me, and I jump, forgetting that Zac had climbed into the back of the large SUV. His head pops between Zeke and me. So close I lean back to put some space between us and smile at him. He looks ridiculous, having climbed his big bulk into the trunk area of the SUV when we realized we didn’t have a big enough vehicle waiting for all of us.

“She’s going to love you,” I tell him.

“How do you know?”

I look around him and meet Zeke’s eyes. Seeing them next to each other this close steals my breath. It’s wild how much they favor each other.

I clear my throat, blushing when Zeke smirks at me knowingly.

“Let’s just say she’s got a thing for tall men.”

Zeke starts chuckling, and Zac’s smile grows.

“That sounds interesting.”

“Just watch your junk if you plan on having any babies. Her little feet know no limits when it comes to climbing.”

“Climbing?”

This time, I laugh with Zeke.

“You’ll see,” he adds.

The door next to Zeke opens, and Asher pokes his head in. “All clear.”

We climb out, and someone pops the back hatch to let Zac out. We all move toward the elevator as a unit with me in the middle. It’s unnerving. However, it’s probably one of the safest places I’ve ever been. I know Zeke would protect me with his life, and he wouldn’t have these men at his side if they wouldn’t do the same. I pray it doesn’t come to that.

I don’t take a full solid breath until we’re in the back elevator that will bring us directly to his door.

To my Riley girl.

The ping of the elevator reaching his floor makes my heart speed up. I move, pushing to the front with Zeke at my back, and wait for the door to open.

“Auntie!”

I lean back into Zeke when I hear her sweet voice, but only for a moment do I allow myself that relief to show. I push forward and drop to my knees in front of her. My eyes roam all over her tiny body, from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.

“You got a boo-boo, too, Auntie?” She reaches out and pokes my cheekbone. “How’d you do that?”

“Walked into a wall, if you’d believe it,” I tell her, figuring this is one of those times when it’s best to omit the truth.

“Me, too!”